Tag Archive | "Team Hazel"

More than 1,500 people gathered in the Cedar Springs High School gym last Saturday night for a basketball game between past and present Detroit Lions and Team Hazel, a group of community members who have come together to show their support of Cedar Springs High School teacher and soccer coach, Scotty Hazel. Hazel is undergoing treatment for liposarcoma. This is his second fight against cancer.

The event raised $12,500 towards Hazel’s cancer treatments.

The fundraiser was the brainchild of former CSHS teacher Cliff Young. The event featured several Detroit Lions players, including Rob Rubick, Herman Moore, Bill Bentley, Cory Schlesinger, Devin Taylor, and Tahir Whitehead. They played against a team made up CSHS teachers and community residents, including MSU standout and CSHS grad Austin Thornton. But the game was strictly for fun—full of hijinks, laughs and special substitutions from the sidelines. During halftime, the players signed autographs, and residents had the chance to bid at a silent auction.

Young said the event greatly exceeded his expectations, both in attendance and in the amount of money raised.

“Rob Rubick, who runs the Lions team, said it was the biggest and most raucous crowd they have played for,” noted Young.

But one of the most memorable parts of the night came early on. “Watching Scott join his family on the floor, raise his hands in the air, and stand while more than 1,500 people cheered before listening to Bekah Lou (Scott’s daughter) address the crowd will forever be burned into memories,” said Young. “Such a humbling experience. While the night was such a celebration of Scott, it was also the coming together of a wonderful community and a showing of profound generosity.”

Young said that Scott and his family are incredibly appreciative and happy about all that went on. “It was a great and memorable night all around.”

Current and former Detroit Lions players to compete against local supporters in basketball game to raise money for teacher’s cancer treatment and expenses

Scott Hazel

More than 600 tickets have already been sold to the “Team Hazel versus Detroit Lions” game to benefit beloved Cedar Springs High School teacher and soccer coach Scotty Hazel.On May 3, at 7 p.m., at Cedar Springs High School, current and former Detroit Lions football players will take on local members of “Team Hazel,” a group of community members who have come together to show their support of Scott, who is undergoing treatment for liposarcoma.

Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students and may be purchased at the door or by calling (616) 340-0653.

A large portion of ticket sales have come from the students he’s inspired over the years. The public outpouring of support is evident on the “Purple Haze Page” on facebook that was created to provide regular updates from Hazel and encouraging thoughts from friends. It has more than 1,700 members.

“Scott is that teacher who is equally loved and admired by teachers and students alike. He’s given an incomparable amount of positive dedication to this community over the years. I’m so glad we have an opportunity to give back to him,” says event organizer and former Cedar Springs teacher, Cliffton Young.

Young is working with former Grand Valley football player stand out, former Lions player, and Detroit sports announcer, Rob Rubick, to assemble the Lions team. While the names of the Lions players will be released closer to the event, the Team Hazel roster is slated to include: